1.
Album
–
Album, is a collection of audio recordings issued as a single item on CD, record, audio tape, or another medium. Albums of recorded music were developed in the early 20th century, first as books of individual 78rpm records, vinyl LPs are still issued, though in the 21st century album sales have mostly focused on compact disc and MP3 formats. The audio cassette was a format used from the late 1970s through to the 1990s alongside vinyl, an album may be recorded in a recording studio, in a concert venue, at home, in the field, or a mix of places. Recording may take a few hours to years to complete, usually in several takes with different parts recorded separately. Recordings that are done in one take without overdubbing are termed live, the majority of studio recordings contain an abundance of editing, sound effects, voice adjustments, etc. With modern recording technology, musicians can be recorded in separate rooms or at times while listening to the other parts using headphones. Album covers and liner notes are used, and sometimes additional information is provided, such as analysis of the recording, historically, the term album was applied to a collection of various items housed in a book format. In musical usage the word was used for collections of pieces of printed music from the early nineteenth century. Later, collections of related 78rpm records were bundled in book-like albums, the LP record, or 33 1⁄3 rpm microgroove vinyl record, is a gramophone record format introduced by Columbia Records in 1948. It was adopted by the industry as a standard format for the album. Apart from relatively minor refinements and the important later addition of stereophonic sound capability, the term album had been carried forward from the early nineteenth century when it had been used for collections of short pieces of music. Later, collections of related 78rpm records were bundled in book-like albums, as part of a trend of shifting sales in the music industry, some commenters have declared that the early 21st century experienced the death of the album. Sometimes shorter albums are referred to as mini-albums or EPs, Albums such as Tubular Bells, Amarok, Hergest Ridge by Mike Oldfield, and Yess Close to the Edge, include fewer than four tracks. There are no rules against artists such as Pinhead Gunpowder referring to their own releases under thirty minutes as albums. These are known as box sets, material is stored on an album in sections termed tracks, normally 11 or 12 tracks. A music track is a song or instrumental recording. The term is associated with popular music where separate tracks are known as album tracks. When vinyl records were the medium for audio recordings a track could be identified visually from the grooves

2.
Statik Selektah
–
Patrick Baril, professionally known as Statik Selektah, is an American record producer, disc jockey and radio personality from Boston, Massachusetts. He is also the founder of Showoff Records and in 2010, he formed the hip hop group 1982, Statik Selektah was born in 1982. Statik Selektah was introduced to music at an age, experimenting with his parents eight-track machine, cassette recorders. Statik began doing radio at Phillips Exeter Academy’s WPEA, where he also occasionally DJ’ ed some of the Afro-Latino Society Parties, naming himself DJ Statik, he began to start to DJ at clubs and private parties up and down the New England Coast. In 2000, Selektah moved back to Massachusetts from New Hampshire to pursue an audio production degree at Bostons New England Institute of Art, around this time, Statik started to put out his own mixtape series titled Spell My Name Right. In 2003, Statik created ShowOff Marketing, which has had such as Reebok, G-Unit Records, Virgin Records, Capital, Universal Records, Diddy’s Vote or Die campaign. In 2006, Statik Selektah made Showoff into a record label, in 2007, Statik released his first LP, titled Spell My Name Right, and came out with a second Stick 2 the Script in 2009. In 2010, Statik Selektah dropped another album 100 Proof, The Hangover which reached 37 on Billboards Heatseeker Albums Chart, besides dropping his own albums, he also has produced on many other artists projects. Statik currently has a show on Thursday nights on Eminems Shade 45 XM/Sirus Radio Station, in 2009, Statik Selektah appeared on Grand Theft Auto, Episodes from Liberty City, featuring as a DJ on the hip hop radio station The Beat 102.7. While recording with rapper Freeway on Ustream, he announced a song off his album, Population Control. This track was included on the release of Population Control in 2011

3.
Hip hop music
–
It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements, MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling beats or bass lines from records, while often used to refer solely to rapping, hip hop more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. Hip hops early evolution occurred as sampling technology and drum machines became available and affordable. Turntablist techniques such as scratching and beatmatching developed along with the breaks and Jamaican toasting, rapping developed as a vocal style in which the artist speaks or chants along rhythmically with an instrumental or synthesized beat. The Sugarhill Gangs 1979 song Rappers Delight is widely regarded to be the first hip hop record to gain popularity in the mainstream. The 1980s marked the diversification of hip hop as the genre developed more complex styles, prior to the 1980s, hip hop music was largely confined within the United States. However, during the 1980s, it began to spread to scenes in dozens of countries. New school hip hop was the wave of hip hop music, originating in 1983–84 with the early records of Run-D. M. C. The Golden age hip hop period was a period between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. Notable artists from this era include the Juice Crew, Public Enemy, & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One, EPMD, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. Gangsta rap is a subgenre of hip hop that often focuses on the violent lifestyles, in the West Coast hip hop style, G-funk dominated mainstream hip hop for several years during the 1990s. I. G. In the 1990s, hip hop began to diversify with other regional styles emerging, such as Southern rap, at the same time, hip hop continued to be assimilated into other genres of popular music, examples being Neo soul and nu metal. Hip hop became a pop music genre in the mid-1990s. The popularity of hip hop music continued through the 2000s, with hip hop influences also increasingly finding their way into mainstream pop, the United States also saw the success of regional styles such as crunk, a Southern genre that emphasized the beats and music more than the lyrics. Starting in 2005, sales of hip hop music in the United States began to severely wane, during the mid-2000s, alternative hip hop secured a place in the mainstream, due in part to the crossover success of artists such as OutKast and Kanye West. Creation of the hip hop is often credited to Keith Cowboy, rapper with Grandmaster Flash. However, Lovebug Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when the music was known as disco rap. Cowboy later worked the hip hop cadence into a part of his stage performance, the first use of the term in print was in The Village Voice, by Steven Hager, later author of a 1984 history of hip hop

4.
Record producer
–
A record producer or music producer oversees and manages the sound recording and production of a band or performers music, which may range from recording one song to recording a lengthy concept album. A producer has many roles during the recording process, the roles of a producer vary. The producer may perform these roles himself, or help select the engineer, the producer may also pay session musicians and engineers and ensure that the entire project is completed within the record companies budget. A record producer or music producer has a broad role in overseeing and managing the recording. Producers also often take on an entrepreneurial role, with responsibility for the budget, schedules, contracts. In the 2010s, the industry has two kinds of producers with different roles, executive producer and music producer. Executive producers oversee project finances while music producers oversee the process of recording songs or albums. In most cases the producer is also a competent arranger, composer. The producer will also liaise with the engineer who concentrates on the technical aspects of recording. Noted producer Phil Ek described his role as the person who creatively guides or directs the process of making a record, indeed, in Bollywood music, the designation actually is music director. The music producers job is to create, shape, and mold a piece of music, at the beginning of record industry, producer role was technically limited to record, in one shot, artists performing live. The role of producers changed progressively over the 1950s and 1960s due to technological developments, the development of multitrack recording caused a major change in the recording process. Before multitracking, all the elements of a song had to be performed simultaneously, all of these singers and musicians had to be assembled in a large studio and the performance had to be recorded. As well, for a song that used 20 instruments, it was no longer necessary to get all the players in the studio at the same time. Examples include the rock sound effects of the 1960s, e. g. playing back the sound of recorded instruments backwards or clanging the tape to produce unique sound effects. These new instruments were electric or electronic, and thus they used instrument amplifiers, new technologies like multitracking changed the goal of recording, A producer could blend together multiple takes and edit together different sections to create the desired sound. For example, in jazz fusion Bandleader-composer Miles Davis album Bitches Brew, producers like Phil Spector and George Martin were soon creating recordings that were, in practical terms, almost impossible to realise in live performance. Producers became creative figures in the studio, other examples of such engineers includes Joe Meek, Teo Macero, Brian Wilson, and Biddu

5.
Stick 2 the Script
–
Stick 2 the Script is the second studio album by East Coast hip hop producer Statik Selektah. It was released by Showoff Records and Brick Records on October 21,2008 and it is composed of 18 tracks--all containing production from Statik Selektah and rapping from featured artists. Much like Selektahs debut album, the album features well-established New York City rappers like Jadakiss, Q-Tip, all songs produced by Statik Selektah

6.
Population Control (album)
–
Population Control is the fourth studio album by East Coast hip hop producer Statik Selektah. The album was released on October 25,2011, the album features guest appearances from Sean Price, Termanology, Big K. R. I. T. The album debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers chart in the first week of its release, Population Control was met with positive reviews from music critics. Still, as an artist who has built his reputation on consistency, jesse Gissen of XXL gave the album an L, saying The biggest problem with the album is Statiks need to include everyone in the party. A lot of the tracks felt too cluttered with MCs that lacked chemistry together and with 20 tracks, luckily for listeners, Statiks ability to flip a beat never disappoints, as he makes sure to keep heads nodding no matter whose turn it is on the mic. Hopefully, next time Statik will be a more selective on whom he decides to include in the general population. Like a zombie rap invasion, no matter how many you kill it will never be enough, instead the only way to ensure the survival of the dope rap species is to strengthen from within, make the music indestructibly good. So, without exaggeration, Statiks not only put together a nice album and its exactly the kind of Population Control the game so badly needs. The album debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers chart in the first week of its release, all songs produced by Statik Selektah

7.
XXL (magazine)
–
XXL is an American hip hop magazine, published by Townsquare Media, founded in 1997. In August 1997, Harris Publications released the first issue of XXL and it featured rappers Jay-Z and Master P on a double cover. In December 2006, XXL took over the hip hop producer and DJ magazine Scratch. However Scratch shut down less than a later in September 2007. Other titles with limited runs have been launched under the XXL brand, including Hip-Hop Soul, Eye Candy, XXL has released many other special projects including tour programs, mixtapes and exclusive DVDs. XXL also maintains a website, which provides daily hip hop news. In 2014, Townsquare Media acquired XXL, King and Antenna from Harris Publications, on October 14,2014, Townsquare announced it would continue print publication of XXL. In December 2014 the company reported that the magazine would be published on a quarterly basis, the magazines past editors include Reginald C. Dennis, Sheena Lester, Elliott Wilson and Datwon Thomas, in May 2009, Datwon Thomas resigned from XXL and executive editor Vanessa Satten, who had been with XXL since 1998, was named the new Editor-in-Chief. In November 2008 XXL released XXL Raps Volume 1, which included music from 50 Cent, G-Unit, Common, Jim Jones, on August 20,2013 XXL released its 150th issue, also celebrating its sixteenth anniversary. The issue featured the first solo cover on the magazine from Drake, starting in 2007, XXL also releases its annual Top 10 Freshman list. The issue features the ten picks of who to watch out for, and on the cover of the magazine and showcases new rappers that arent well known, the list has become known to create buzz and is credited for giving many artists their first taste of fame

8.
East Coast hip hop
–
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in the New York City area during the 1970s. In contrast to other styles, East Coast hip hop music has prioritized complex lyrics for attentive listening rather than beats for dancing, the main components of hip hop culture from that time and still today are MCing, DJing, break dancing, and graffiti. In contrast to the rhyme pattern and scheme utilized in old school hip hop. It has also characterized by multi-syllabic rhymes, complex wordplay. East Coast hip hop has a sound and style, it tends to gravitate to aggressive beats. The aggressive and hard-hitting beats of the form were emphasized by such acts as EPMD and Public Enemy, & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Notorious B. I. G and Slick Rick were noted for their lyrical skill. East coast hip hop is occasionally referred to as New York rap due to its origins, according to AllMusic, At the dawn of the hip-hop era, all rap was East Coast rap. Early artists of the form, including DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Jam Master Jay, pioneered East Coast hip hop during hip hops development. New York-based groups such as De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, later in 1992, Dr. Dres G-Funk record The Chronic would introduce West Coast hip hop to the mainstream. Along with an ability to retain its primary function as party music. Although G-Funk was the most popular variety of hip hop during the early 1990s, during this period, several New York City rappers rising from the local underground scene, began releasing noteworthy albums in the early and mid nineties. Black Moons 1993 debut, Enta Da Stage, was one of the first major recordings to emerge from New Yorks hardcore hip hop scene. The album has been credited with helping spark trends that would come to characterize this period in East Coast hip hop. The Notorious B. I. G. became the figure in East Coast hip hop during most of the 1990s. His success on the charts and rise to the mainstream drew more attention to New York at the time of West Coast hip hops dominance. His commercial success helped pave the way for the success of other East Coast rappers such as Jay-Z, many hip hop aficionados look favorably upon this period as a time of creative growth and influential recordings, describing it as The East Coast Renaissance. Music writer May Blaize of MVRemix Urban comments on the nostalgia felt among hip hop fans for records released during this time, wu-Tang brought the ruckus with 36 Chambers. The world was ours when Nas released Illmatic, Big L, the MVP, came out with Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous

9.
Royce da 5'9"
–
Ryan Daniel Montgomery, better known by his stage name Royce da 5′9″, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. The editors of About. com ranked him No.30 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time. In a interview with DJ Vlad on YouTube, Royce stated that his early stage name prior to the Royce nickname was R-Dog. He moved to Oak Park, Michigan when he was 10 years old, Royces name comes from his height,5 feet 9 inches. Similar instances suggest that his name has numerous meanings besides his height and he started rapping at age 18, influenced mainly by Ras Kass, Redman, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B. I. G. Esham, Detroits Most Wanted, and N. W. A, when the project was heavily bootlegged, Royce left the label for Koch to re-record some of the album, eventually releasing it in 2002 as Rock City. While the album did not sell well, the DJ Premier-produced single Boom gained Royce some underground recognition. Royce appeared on Eminems major-label debut studio album The Slim Shady LP, however, many of the CDs pressed and released did not have this song on them. Royce and Eminem also released a track called Renegades, from which Royces vocals would later be replaced with Jay-Zs on the latters The Blueprint, through Eminem, Royce would also be introduced to both Dr. Dre and execs at Game Recordings. After Royces manager Kino stated, I’ve seen Em sit Dre down like a pupil and coach him on rhymes. on a phone interview, Royce refused to fire his manager Kino, thus Royces relationship with Dre ended. Royce had an out with D12, including mutual friend. This resulted in a drawn-out, public rivalry between the rapper and five of the six members, with Royce releasing three diss tracks aimed at the group. The first diss track, Shit on You, was recorded over the instrumental of D12s song with the same name, Malcolm X was the second diss track, which featured Tré Little. D12 responded with Smack Down which was recorded over 50 Cents Back Down instrumental, Proof also recorded a diss track entitled Many Men. This was recorded over 50 Cents Many Men instrumental, Proof later released another diss with The Purple Gang called Beef Is Ova. Royce responded with his third track, which was recorded over 50 Cents In Da Club instrumental titled Death Day. In the summer of 2003, D12 member Proof confronted Royce outside a club in Detroit, violence erupted between the rappers entourage, leading to the Police being called, and Proof and Royces arrest. The two were detained overnight in adjacent cells where they talked out their differences and ended the feud, a few years later Royce released Malcolm X in 2007 off his Bar Exam mixtape which reignited the feud briefly

10.
Termanology
–
Daniel Carrillo, better known by his stage name Termanology, is an American rapper and record producer. He first gained attention with the 2006 single Watch How It Go Down. A solo album, Politics As Usual, was released in 2008 and he has made a number of collaborative albums, such as 1982 and is known also for his prolific mixtape output. He is of Puerto Rican and French descent, in collaboration with the New Hampshire producer DC the MIDI Alien, Carrillo independently released the album Out the Gate in 2005. The single This Is Hip Hop attracted the attention of The Source, a friendship with the Gang Starr Foundation member Krumbsnatcha led to a meeting with DJ Premier, who was a fan of This Is Hip Hop. Termanologys DJ Premier-produced 2006 single Watch How It Go Down generated considerable national and international interest and it was well received by critics, though many reviewers noted it lacked the focused aggression throughout that Watch How It Go Down had promised. The rappers mixtapes have also attracted critical attention, i–7 his project over J Dilla beats, If Heaven Was A Mile Away, a collection of fifty of his verses,50 Bodies, and the compilation of his mixtape cuts, Jackin for Beats. Da Squad is the collaborative effort with his group ST. A selection of his appearances with other artists can be found on Da Cameo King. In 2009, he wrote and recorded a song, titled Here in Liberty City, for the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto, The Lost. The mixtape Time Machine, released in late 2009, was described by the artist as somewhere between a mixtape and an album,1982 was released in October 2010, and is a joint release with producer Statik Selektah. On June 7,2011, Termanology dropped the mixtape Cameo King II, later that year he and Ea$y Money made another collaborative project, entitled S. T. R. E. E. T. In early 2012, Termanology released 50 Bodies Pt.4 which was hosted by Statik Selektah, D-Stroy, a couple of months later he and Statik Selektah, released their sophomore album called 2012. The video for Lights Down was shot in Japan and was featured on MTV Jams. In November of 2012, Termanology & Lil Fame of the rap group M. O. P. made a collaborative album called Fizzyology. Hood Politics 7 was released on April 2013 which was promoted on MTV News Mixtape Mondays and he performed his verse from Up Every Night, which features Kid Ink and Cory Gunz. On October 8, he released his album G. O. Y. A, which was entirely produced by Shortfyuz. The first single was Straight Off The Block which featured DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, judo was the third single that featured N. O. R. E

11.
Freeway (rapper)
–
Leslie Edward Pridgen, better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American hip hop recording artist from North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is perhaps best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with fellow East Coast rappers, Jay-Z, apart from his solo career, Freeway is also known as a member of the rap group, State Property. In 2009, Freeway was briefly signed to Cash Money Records, Freeway was born Leslie Pridgen, on August 6,1978. He adopted his moniker from the name of the drug trafficker Freeway Rick Ross. Freeway began his career by participating in battles in his high school and met fellow Philadelphia native Beanie Sigel. After the appearance, Jay-Z signed him to a deal, he was featured on Think its a Game, also alongside Jay-Z, in 2001, he underwent a notorious freestyle battle with then-unsigned rapper Cassidy, hosted by Swizz Beatz and lost with a unanimous judges decision. On February 25,2003, Freeway released his debut album, the album was produced primarily by Roc-A-Fella-affiliated beatsmiths Just Blaze, Bink. and Kanye West and featured a large number of Roc-A-Fella rappers. Many of them hailed from Philadelphia, and were soon compiled into the group State Property led by Freeway. The album also sold over 500,000 units in the United States, after Jay-Zs retirement album and the uncertainty over what direction the label was headed, Beanie Sigel was convicted and jailed on a charge of attempted murder. Relations between Beanie Sigel and State Property soured after the incarceration of Sigel, and State Property essentially broke up, with Sigel stating he was unsure he would work with them again. Over the next few years, members of the group—most notably Freeway and Sigel themselves—slowly began collaborating once again, though such as Oschino. During this time, with his crew and label in turmoil, with uncertainty in the air, Freeway put together another Philadelphia-based crew called Ice City, named after their neighborhood North Philly. While active, the group consisted of Face Money, Bars and Hydro and their debut album, Welcome to the Hood, was released under Sure Shot Recordings, but received little attention. Subsequently, groupmember Hydro released a mixtape dissing Freeway, distancing himself, upon his return, Freeway recorded his second album Free at Last, which was released on November 20,2007. Jay-Z and 50 Cent were both set to produce the album, while both were featured, the project ended up solely a Roc-A-Fella release, with 50 giving up his co-executive producers role. After the albums release, Freeway went on record to clarify his comments, saying he had no animosity towards them. The album eventually sold over 100,000, in 2008, Freeway initiated what he called the Month of Madness, releasing a song a day for the month of December. The songs, featuring input from Phoe Notes, Erick Sermon, Don Cannon, Cardiak, Jake One, Oddisee,2009 brought an announcement that he would be working on his third album amidst his regrets over hearing Jay-Z had stepped down as Def Jam president

12.
M.O.P.
–
M. O. P. is an American hip hop duo. Composed of rappers Billy Danze and Lil Fame, the duo are known for their aggressive lyrical delivery style. Although they maintain a strong following, they are mainly known for the song Ante Up, released on their Warriorz album in 2000. The group has collaborated with DJ Premier. Fame sometimes produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack, and has produced a significant number of tracks on all M. O. P, releases since 1996s Firing Squad, as well as work for other artists including Kool G Rap, Teflon and Wu-Tang Clan. Lil Fame and Billy Danze grew up together in the neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn, with a desire to express themselves through rap, they formed a hip-hop group named after their gang Mash Out Posse. Fame always had a gift for making music, with his talent ranging from being an emcee / producer. His music became his form of therapy when his brother was gunned down in his neighborhood After contributing to the 1992 compilation The Hill Thats Real. Debuted in 1993 with the single How About Some Hardcore, which appeared on the soundtrack for the film House Party 3. The underground success of the single, promoted by a video from then-unknown director Hype Williams. It was released in 1994 on the small label Select Records, released their second effort, Firing Squad. Hoping for better promotion, they signed with Relativity Records, released the Handle Ur Bizness EP, which was soon followed by the album First Family 4 Life. The album had the distinction of being the most stolen album from New York Citys HMV stores in 1998. M. O. P. s fan base was loyal but remained small until 2000, when they released Warriorz. Mainstream radio began playing the first single, Ante Up, produced by DR Period, the single was a hit and propelled the album to #25 on the Billboard 200 chart. The follow-up single, the self-produced Cold As Ice, also received radio airplay and it was used in the UK on a TV advert for Ice White toothpaste. Both Ante Up and Cold as Ice reached the top ten on the UK Singles Chart peaking at #7, in 2001, a remix of Ante Up was released featuring Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, and Teflon, which was also very well received. That same year, they collaborated on a song titled Life is Good with the pop group LFO, the song reached #40 on Billboards Hot Singles Sales chart

13.
Bun B
–
Bernard Freeman, known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern rap duo UGK. He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University, located in Houston, Texas. He released his official solo album, Trill OG, on August 3,2010. In the late 1980s, Pimp C started the rap duo UGK and he first released a demo tape titled Underground King which didnt feature Bun B on the track. Instead, it featured Pimp Cs friend Mitchell Queen, Bun B and friend Jalon Jackson had their own group called P. A. Both groups joined forces and formed the group 4 Black Ministers, Queen and Jackson later left the group leaving Pimp C and Bun B so they decided to revert to UGK. The demo Pimp C recorded with Mitchell Queen, Underground King and they then released an extended play titled The Southern Way. The release of this record caught the attention of Jive Records, the song Pocket Full of Stones became the first UGK song to get major airplay throughout the United States. Their third album, Ridin Dirty, peaked at number 2 on the R&B Charts in 1996, after releasing their fourth studio album, Dirty Money, Pimp C got sentenced to jail. Singles featuring a Bun B guest appearance included They Dont Know by Paul Wall, Gimme That by Webbie, Bun B also appeared in a documentary titled Screwed In Houston produced by VBS/Vice that details the history of the Houston rap scene. In October 2005, Bun Bs debut solo album Trill was released, singles included Draped Up, Git It, and Get Throwed. The album peaked at the number 6 spot on the American Billboard 200 chart, after Pimp C died in 2007, Bun B returned to a solo career. In 2008, he released his album, II Trill. The first single was Thats Gangsta featuring Jamaican American artist Sean Kingston and it debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 copies. Other singles were Damn Im Cold featuring Lil Wayne and Youre Everything featuring Rick Ross, David Banner, DJ Corbett and 8Ball & MJG, Bun Bs third album is Trill OG. In an interview with MTV Live, Bun B stated that 2Pac was set to feature on the album, the album was released under Universal Music Group on August 3,2010. On October 28,2011, a song titled The Life, on March 3,2012, Bun B leaked a song featuring Royce da 59 and Redman titled Stop Playin after he reached 400,000 followers on Twitter. He has not announced the appearance on his upcoming album His fourth studio album was rumored to be titled, Trill 4 Life

14.
Wale (rapper)
–
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, is an American rapper from Washington, D. C. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song Dig Dug became popular in his hometown, Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the regional audience. Producer Mark Ronson discovered Wale in 2006 and signed him to Allido Records in 2007, while signed to that label, Wale released several mixtapes and appeared in national media including MTV and various Black-American-focused magazines. A song called Ridin in That Black Joint was featured in the video game Saints Row 2s soundtrack in 2008. In 2008, Wale signed with Interscope Records for $1.3 million, and his debut album Attention Deficit was released in 2009 with the singles Chillin, Pretty Girls, the album, although under-shipped, received positive reviews from critics. In early 2011, Wale signed with Rick Ross Maybach Music Group and his second studio album, Ambition was released November 1,2011, with mixed reviews. His third studio album, The Gifted, was released on June 25,2013, to positive reviews. His second Billboard number one album The Album About Nothing was released on March 31,2015, Wale was born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin on September 21,1984, in Northwest, Washington, D. C. His parents were from the Yoruba ethnic group of the southwestern Nigeria, Wales family were first began living in Northwest, Washington, D. C. and then moved to Montgomery County, when Wale was at the age of 10. In 2002, he graduated from the Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Wale attended Robert Morris University and Virginia State University on football scholarships, then transferred to Bowie State University. However, he dropped out due to academic reasons, Wales love of the game of football and the Washington Redskins has led to a longstanding rumor that Wale had a tattoo of tight end Chris Cooley. Hes also the cousin of an actor Gbenga Akinnagbe, who is best known as for playing Chris Partlow on HBOs The Wire, Wales first recorded the track, called Rhyme of the Century, which became his first song to ever played on the local radio. In 2006, he was featured in the Unsigned Hype column of The Source magazine, the track, called Dig Dug became popular in Washington, D. C. Maryland and Virginia, and was a tribute to Ronald Dig Dug Dixon, who was a percussion player for the go-go band Northeast Groovers. The song became the most requested song by a local artist in Washington D. C. radio history, the song was included in Wales first mixtape, Paint a Picture. In July 2006, Wale found representation in Daniel Weisman, whose a former club DJ and promoter, Weisman had been tipped off about the rapper by a friend in Washington, D. C and connected with him through Myspace, on September 14,2006, Uptown Roamers debuted on XM Radio Channel 66, where its been played twice in one day. Both Breakdown and Uptown Roamers were on Wales second mixtape, Hate Is the New Love, the song, Breakdown was featured on the video game Madden NFL2009

15.
Styles P
–
David Styles, better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. In 2002, he released his debut album A Gangster and a Gentleman. He went on to release Time is Money, Super Gangster, Master of Ceremonies, The Worlds Most Hardest MC Project, Float, Phantom and the Ghost, and A Wise Guy and a Wise Guy. Styles P, a member of The LOX and the larger D-Block Hip-Hop collective, grew up in Yonkers, New York rapping alongside Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. In their late teens the trio met Mary J. Blige who was so impressed with their tough street east coast lyrics, Diddy immediately hired the trio to write for Bad Boy Records. With the label, The LOX quickly started collaborating on hits with Diddy, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey which gave them instant notoriety and status within the hip-hop and mainstream charts. This single was the most played hit in 1997, which opened the door for The LOX first solo debut in January 1998 entitled Money. After another LOX album, We Are the Streets and appearing on albums with Ruff Ryders, Styles released his first solo album, A Gangster, four years later he released his second album Time is Money on Ruff Ryders which was followed by Super Gangster a year later. This began a string of annual releases with his fourth, fifth, sixth. Styles P released his first novel Invincible in 2010 through Random House Publishing Group, in 2011 he opened up a juice bar in Bronx, New York called Juices for Life with his business partners Nyger Rollocks and Leo Galvez. He released his EP with CurrenSy titled, #The1st28 on February 28,2012, a Novel Official Site Styles P Interview at Prefix The DJ Booth, Styles P Interview Styles P Interview New Styles P interview with HipHopGame. com

16.
Evidence (musician)
–
Michael Taylor Perretta, better known as Evidence, is an American MC, producer, and member of the rap group Dilated Peoples. Before becoming a rapper and producer, Evidence was a graffiti artist and they hoped their success would serve as a platform for solo projects, much as the Wu-Tang Clans success had done before them. Evidence also made a track directed at Eminem called Search 4 Bobby Fisher during a feud, through his work as one-third of Dilated Peoples, Evidence became a champion of hip-hop culture. This is for people who get what I do, ” says Evidence, if Im going to come out independently and have the freedom to do what I want, theres no better way to represent. I want to be a leader and carve out a new path, with production from The Alchemist, Sid Roams, Jake One, DJ Babu, DJ Khalil, and Evidence himself, the album The Weatherman LP was released March 20,2007. I think people can tell when an artist isnt confident in themselves and on this song I let the audience know I have something to say, Perretta was close with his mother, I Still Love You and Chase The Clouds Away are both tributes to her. She died due to cancer in 2004, writing and performing I Still Love You was emotionally challenging for Evidence, a single child whose mother was his best friend and confidante. I produced it, I rapped on it and I recorded it by myself with nobody in the room because I couldnt have anybody around when I was doing it and its the one time youre definitely going to get all of me. Evidences second studio album Cats & Dogs was released on September 27,2011, the album charted at number 64 on the Billboard 200, making it Evidences first album to appear on the chart. An album sampler mixed by DJ Babu has been released as well, the album won 2011 HHUG Best Album of the Year award. In an interview with Hip-Hop Kings at the 2015 Fresh Island Festival, Evidence confirms that DJ Babu and Alchemist will feature on the record. As of July 2015 he has around 5 songs recorded, another Sound Mission Vol.1 The Weatherman LP Cats & Dogs Lord Steppington Official website Evidence discography, forum, and marketplace at Discogs

17.
Dilated Peoples
–
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. They reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, This Way and Worst Comes to Worst and their members include DJ Babu, Evidence and Rakaa. The group also received a publicity spike after their songs were featured in the 2003 video games Need for Speed, Underground and they had previously recorded an album titled Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry that was never released, although many fans still have it on bootlegged tapes. The group eventually signed with Capitol Records and released The Platform to more critical acclaim, Expansion Team debuted at #8 on the US Billboard R&B Albums chart and #36 on the Billboard 200. The groups third album, Neighborhood Watch, was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200, in addition to the Kanye West produced single, This Way, it featured the singles Whos Who. and Sorry. OK, which were included as tracks on the Need for Speed, Underground and SSX3 soundtracks. The fourth album, 20/20, was released in 2006, the debut single and this is the third EA Games soundtrack on which the group has been featured. Back Again is also featured on Sonys MLB06, The Show, in 2012, they collaborated with Platinum Games to record the track This is Madness for the credits of the beat-em-up video game, Anarchy Reigns. 20/20 was the farewell album on Capitol Records, ending a four album recording contract. They also work with the hip hop group, Global Warning. The Liks appeared on The Platform on the track Right On, the group also collaborated frequently with west coast emcees Defari and Amad Jamal and helped to launch their careers. Defari made one appearance on each Dilated Peoples album, Ear Drums Pop on The Platform, Defari Interlude on Expansion Team, Closed Session on Neighborhood Watch, Dilated Peoples also made multiple appearances on Defaris album Odds & Evens. Another Dilated associate is their long-time producer, the Alchemist, who produced five songs on The Platform, Dilated Peoples were featured on a song on the Alchemists 1st Infantry album. Dilated Peoples at AllMusic Dilated Peoples Homepage Evidence Interview Evidence Interview - Reunion of Dilated Peoples, BouriBlog | Evidence Interview BouriBlog | Rakaa Iriscience Interview Dilated Peoples Video Interview

18.
Saigon (rapper)
–
Brian Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and actor. He is currently signed to Suburban Noize Records and Just Blazes Fort Knocks Entertainment record label, after years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest Story Never Told was released on Suburban Noize Records. He is also known for his appearances on the HBO television series Entourage, Saigon was born in Spring Valley, New York. In the late 1990s, he was sentenced to time at Napanoch’s Eastern Correctional Facility. Carenard would later state that battle rapping with Hakim would help instigate his personal rehabilitation, while serving time, Brian named himself Saigon after reading Wallace Terry’s book about the Vietnam War. This book helped realign the content and diction in Saigons raps, as well as the advice of a prison lifer, with the help of the underground buzz that he garnered over the years, Saigon signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2004. Saigon revealed that he realized as early as two months into his deal with Atlantic Records that there were problems. He also recalled a meeting with an Atlantic executive who told him We need our three singles, then you can bust your artistic nut on the rest of the album. Saigon however, wasn’t willing to compromise with this request, and only one year after signing with Atlantic and he explained They signed me knowing the kind of music I was making, but then they try and change the direction. This however didn’t prompt a break from his company, as they offered a few stipends, leading him. Saigon later suspected that Atlantic wanted to make sure he didn’t take the material elsewhere, while caught in this issue with Atlantic, Saigon continued to perform freestyles on hip hop radio shows, release mixtapes, and also continued to write and record The Greatest Story Never Told. Saigon was also managed by celebrity manager Glenn Toby, in 2009, Saigon signed with Boston-based new media outfit and independent label Amalgam Digital. On April 14,2014, Saigon announced the formation of his own record label – Squid Ink Squad Records, which is partnered up with global media company CPXi, on July 28,2014 it was announced that Saigons third studio album would release on September 30,2014. On the night of January 17,2006, Saigon was stabbed in the temple with a bottle as he left a diner in Chelsea, Manhattan. A man approached Saigon and attempted to steal a chain off his neck, when Saigon grabbed it back, a fight started. Saigon, bleeding from the head, tried to hail down a taxi, as a result, Saigon ended up driving himself to Bellevue Hospital where he received seven stitches. At the end of 2008, Saigon became a father and his daughters name is Rayne Dior Carenard and she was the inspiration for his single Fatherhood. She also appears in the video of the song, which was directed by Derek Pike

19.
Talib Kweli
–
Talib Kweli Greene is an American hip hop recording artist, entrepreneur, and social activist. He is the son of professional educators, in 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, which is self-defined as a platform for independent thinkers and doers. Kweli earned recognition early on through his work with fellow Brooklyn artist, Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, Kwelis career continued with solo success including collaborations with famed producers Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pharrell Williams. Kweli is known to artists on the rise, such as J. Cole, Jay Electronica, Kendrick Lamar. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Kweli grew up in a household in Park Slope and his mother, Brenda Greene, is an English professor at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and his father an administrator at Adelphi University. His younger brother, Jamal Greene, is a professor of Constitutional Law at Columbia Law School, a graduate of Yale Law School, and former clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court. As a youth, he was drawn to Afrocentric rappers, such as De La Soul, Kweli was a student at Cheshire Academy, a boarding school in Connecticut. He was previously a student at Brooklyn Technical High School before being academically dismissed and he later studied experimental theater at New York University. Kweli made his debut in 1996, with featured five appearances on Doom. In Cincinnati, Kweli also met DJ Hi-Tek and the two collaborated on a few well received underground recordings as Reflection Eternal, including Fortified Live, shortly afterwards, upon returning to New York, he reconnected with Mos Def and formed Black Star. Kweli brought along Hi-Tek to produce their album, 1998s Mos Def. The album, released amidst a late 90s renaissance of conscious, Afrocentric hip hop, was hailed by critics. Kweli and Hi-Tek continued their Reflection Eternal partnership on the 2000 album Train of Thought, which was met with critical acclaim. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, Hip Hop for Respect was organized by Mos Def and Kweli to speak out against police brutality, specifically, the case of Amadou Diallo. The project released one EP for Rawkus Entertainment, on February 4,1999, Amadou Diallo was shot 41 times by four police officers while reaching into his pocket for his wallet. The project aimed to assemble 41 emcees to represent the 41 shots fired, producers included DJ Khalil Mr. Khaliyl, Organized Noize, and 88-Keys. In 2001, Kweli and Mos Def, contributed to the Red Hot + Indigo compilation album created by the Red Hot Organization, the compilation was a tribute to Duke Ellington, that raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. Black Star collaborated with fellow artists John Patton and Ron Carter to record Money Jungle, in 2002, Kweli contributed to the critically acclaimed Red Hot + Riot, a compilation CD created by the Red Hot Organization in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti

20.
Colin Munroe
–
Colin Munroe is a Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer originally from North Gower, Ontario. Colin was raised by Christian parents who pulled him out of Grade 3 because they felt they could do a job than the system was doing. Colin was home‐schooled alongside his 3 younger siblings until Grade 9 at which point his parents finally granted their son’s request to attend an arts school. Colin attended the University of Toronto, where he received a degree in cinema studies, during his time in Toronto, Colin collaborated with urban‐music talent including Glenn Lewis and Divine Brown. He co-wrote and produced 10 songs on Ray Robinson’s Juno-nominated album, What It Is, Colin also has upcoming releases by Once Degrassi, The Next Generation star and now rapper Drake, Kardinal Offishall, Divine Brown, Saukrates and Frank n Dank. Recently several US artists have sought material from Colin including former Blackstreet member Chauncey Black, Sean Price and Brick and Lace. Don’t Think Less of Me, is an 11-song pop album owing its song writing influences to early Van Morrison, U2 and The Beatles, hip hop, in late 2007, Grammy winning producer Dallas Austin collaborated to advance Colin to UniversalMotown Records. Late January 2008, Colin leaked an unofficial remix/response to Kanye West’s Flashing Lights online, within 10 days, the remix and accompanying street‐video had spread across the internet, and now exceeds one million views on YouTube. Perez Hilton, MTV, Pitchfork Media, Arjan Writes, Discobelle, Kanye West included I Want Those Flashing Lights on his latest mixtape, Glow in the Dark tour Mixtape. In 2009 Colin Munroe took part in a documentary series called City Sonic. The series, which featured 20 Toronto artists, had him reflect on his experiences with the Revival Bar

21.
Sean Price
–
Sean Price was an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik. He was half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, a member of the underground hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik, Price first appeared on Smif-N-Wessuns 1995 album Dah Shinin. He would soon resurface in 1996 as one half of the critically acclaimed Brooklyn duo Heltah Skeltah, Heltah Skeltah would go on to release two more albums, 1998s Magnum Force and 2008s D. I. R. T. In the 2000s, Price would establish himself as a force in the underground hip hop community. In 2005, Price released his first solo album Monkey Barz, Price would follow up in 2007 with Jesus Price Supastar and later with Mic Tyson in 2012. Songs in the Key of Price, an album cut short by Prices death, was released posthumously on August 21,2015. In 2011, Price was a judge on the Ultimate MC TV show alongside Royce da 59, Organik, Planet Asia, and Pharoahe Monch. Price had been interviewed on the online series Grand Angel TV in 2008 and 2010, with Paid Dues performance footage alongside Boot Camp Clik and Dru Ha, in 2011, he formed the group Random Axe with Guilty Simpson and producer Black Milk. He had a collaborative album with rapper Ill Bill in the works. He was a Muslim, having converted in 2009, on August 8,2015, Price died at the age of 43. Details surrounding his death were not immediately available, but a statement from his reps confirmed his death, while adding that he died in his sleep. It is with beyond a heavy heart that Duck Down Music is sadly confirming that Sean Price passed away early this morning in his Brooklyn apartment, Saturday, August 8th,2015, read the statement. The cause of death is unknown, but it was reported that he died in his sleep. Hes survived by his wife, and his three children, in just 4 days from his death, fans of Price raised $72,883 on the fundraising website Crowdrise in support of his family. According to Dru-Has Instagram, Jay-Z donated $50,000, eminems Shady Records donated $10,000 to the fundraiser. Price was the cousin of Roc-A-Fella Records rapper Memphis Bleek, Price was also close friends with actor Ryan Phillippe. Price was a member of the gang the Decepticons in high school, studio albums Monkey Barz Jesus Price Supastar Random Axe Mic Tyson Songs in the Key of Price Imperius Rex Duck Down Records website Sean Price at the Internet Movie Database

22.
Smif-N-Wessun
–
Smif-N-Wessun is a hip hop duo consisting of members Tek and Steele. Smif-N-Wessun comprise one quarter of the Brownsville, Brooklyn supergroup Boot Camp Clik, with Buckshot, Heltah Skeltah, both members are known for their Jamaican Patois during their raps, which was more evident during the earlier stages of their career. The duo debuted on Black Moons 1993 album Enta da Stage, appearing on the tracks Blac Smif-N-Wessun and they released their first single Bucktown b/w Lets Git It On in early 1994. Bucktown became a smash, and gave the group considerable hype for their debut album, Dah Shinin. The album debuted in the top 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, along with Bucktown, the album featured the singles Wrekonize b/w Sound Bwoy Bureill and Wontime b/w Stand Strong. Dah Shinin became an album in the hardcore New York City hip hop scene of the mid-1990s. Soon after the release of their debut, Smif-N-Wessun were sued with a cease, to avoid the lawsuit, they decided to change their name to the Cocoa Brovaz in 1996. In 1996, Smif-N-Wessun and the Boot Camp Clik flew to Los Angeles to collaborate and record an album with Death Row Records artist, the album was titled One Nation. 2Pac planned to release it with two discs, one titled WestCoast and the other titled EastCoast, fat Joe was supposed to fly to L. A. but never turned up. Boot Camp Clik, Snoop Dogg, Outlawz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Wu-Tang Clan, Luniz, Kokane, Spice 1, in 1997, the Cocoa Bz joined up with the entire Boot Camp Clik for their first group album For the People. The album was seen as a disappointment, and led to the decline of the Camps popularity. In early 1998, they dropped their second album The Rude Awakening, the release was met with mixed reviews and moderate sales. The albums lead single, the Raekwon-assisted Black Trump, was not able to reach any Billboard charts, in 1999, the Clik was dropped from Priority Records, leaving the duo temporarily unsigned. Soon after, the Cocoa Brovaz released a single, Super Brooklyn. Because of the use of the sample, the duo was not able to officially release the track. They appeared on a number of albums over the next few years, including Soundbombing 2, Lyricist Lounge 2, Game Over and Soundbombing III. They were never able to release the album recorded for Rawkus in 2002. They rejoined Duck Down Records for the release of the Boot Camp Cliks second group album The Chosen Few in the same year, in September 2005, they returned as Smif-N-Wessun for the album Smif n Wessun, Reloaded

23.
Havoc (musician)
–
Kejuan Muchita, better known by his stage name Havoc, is an American rapper and record producer. He is one half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep with Prodigy, Havoc is from the New York City housing project Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, Queens, his mother is from Brooklyn, NY. Havoc is the producer of Mobb Deep he has produced songs for MCs such as Eminem, Nas, Foxy Brown, Onyx. Jadakiss, Styles P, Method Man, Game, Diddy, LL Cool J, La The Darkman, Rohff, Big Noyd, Termanology, Per Vers, tragedy Khadafi, Capone-N-Noreaga, and his own partner Prodigy on his solo work. In the spring of 2005, Mobb Deep was signed to fellow Queens rapper 50 Cents record label G-Unit Records, in late 200950 Cent dropped the duo from the label. Havoc is renowned among serious hip-hop fans as one of the prominent figures during the mid-1990s for his hard-hitting, as an MC, he is known for his hardcore lyricism and consistent flow. He also contributed vocals and a verse on Black Moons debut album Enta da Stage in 1993. In July 2009, Havoc was featured alongside Raekwon in J Dillas music video for 24K Rap off of the Jay Stay Paid album, Wu-Tang & Bad Meets Evils Hell, The Sequel EP. He revealed that he plans on recording a new Mobb album with Nas and his third studio album 13 was released on May 7,2013. Havoc worked with Kavinsky on his 2013 album OutRun and he wrote the lyrics and sang the vocals for, Suburbia, the 6th track on the album. In 2016, Havoc produced Real Friends and Famous, two tracks on Kanye Wests album The Life of Pablo. net

24.
Kool G Rap
–
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson, better known by his stage name Kool G Rap, is an American rapper from LeFrak City, Queens. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and he is often cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time, and a pioneer of mafioso rap/street/hardcore content and multisyllabic rhyming. On his album The Giancana Story, he stated that the G in his name stands for Giancana and he has also been cited as a major influence to some of hip-hops most critically acclaimed figures such as The Notorious B. I. G. Big Pun, Nas, Eminem and Jay-Z, as well as many underground rappers, Wilson grew up in the poverty-ridden streets of Corona, Queens, New York with legendary producer Eric B. In an interview with The Source he stated, Growing up in Corona was like a little Harlem, I was like 15 years old, Ma dukes couldnt dress a nigga no more and at that age you want a little money in your pocket. Thats what gets us all, material possessions, a nigga got caught up in that mentality. Nigga started selling drugs at a point, and all that shit. Eventually all my friends got smoked, All my friends started packing burners everyday, we was wild shorties. Around this time, Wilson was looking for a DJ, and through Eric B. he met DJ Polo, who was looking for an MC to collaborate with. Juice Crew producer Mr. Magic and DJ Marley Marl allowed Polo and G Rap to go to their studio to record a demo and they eventually released Its a Demo as a single with Im Fly, along with two more singles. Shortly after this, Kool G Rap appeared on the Juice Crews classic posse cut The Symphony before they released their debut album and this album and their two later albums, Wanted, Dead or Alive and Live and Let Die, are highly regarded and considered hip-hop classics. Eventually in 1993, Kool G Rap parted ways with DJ Polo in pursuit of a solo career. In 1995, G Rap started his career with the album 4,5,6, which featured production from Buckwild. It has been his most commercially successful record, reaching No.24 on the US Billboard 200 album chart and this was followed by Roots of Evil in 1998. In 1997 G Rap was featured on Frankie Cutlass Politic & Bullsht album track titled Know Da Game which also featured Mobb Deep and my Life the hit single from the album featuring Talk Box legend G-Wise reached No.6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Rap singles charts. He then released a joint album with his group,5 Family Click, in the following years, mixtapes were made and further collaborations continued. There were even rumors of G Raps signing to both Rocafella and G-Unit Records, and even at one point Maybach Music, in 2007 he released Half a Klip on Chinga Chang Records, featuring production from, among others, DJ Premier and Marley Marl. A full LP was released in 2011, Riches, Royalty, Respect showcasing his true to form style, the promise and prospects of collaboration albums were announced later the next year on his own, newly formed label FullMettle

25.
Consequence (rapper)
–
Dexter Raymond Mills, Jr. better known by his stage name Consequence, is an American hip hop recording artist from Queens, New York City, New York. Consequence debuted in 1996, appearing several times on A Tribe Called Quests fourth album Beats, Rhymes, in March 2007, he released his debut album Dont Quit Your Day Job. under Columbia Records and Kanye Wests GOOD Music. Consequence left GOOD Music in 2011, on bad terms, after being signed with the label since 2005 and he and West later reconciled, despite Consequence speaking ill of West. Consequence subsequently launched his own label, Band Camp Records. On July 22,2011 Consequence released a song titled The Plagurist Society where he takes shots, Pusha T responded to the diss when he appeared on Chicago’s 107. Later that day, Consequence called in to Chicago’s WGCI’s The Morning Riot in retaliation to the remarks Pusha T made about him and he also premiered a song titled Everybody Told Me 2 where he disses West, Pusha T and GOOD Music in general. Since then Pusha T has responded to Consequence on a record, the song was the remix to Ace Hoods Go N Get It which also featured Beanie Sigel, Busta Rhymes and Styles P. In the song Pusha raps Consequence, nigga, talk is cheap You dont want a problem, off the beef Before I off his ass with his awful teeth. On August 19, Consequence released Movies on Demand 3 and continued to diss his former label and Pusha T on songs such as Career Killer, on September 15,2011 Consequence appeared on MTVs Rap Fix and announced his feud with Kanye West and GOOD Music was over. While out in Chicago in October 2011, Pusha T appeared on WGCI radio for a time, and confirmed that the beef was indeed over. On March 13,2013 Consequence assaulted fellow rapper and reality TV show actor Joe Budden during their Love & Hip Hop TV show reunion. Consequence reportedly assaulted Budden by sneaking behind him and hitting him from behind, Budden immediately spoke on Angie Martinez radio show about the incident and stated he would retaliate to the incident. After the reunion ended, Budden reportedly assaulted Consequence in retaliation outside of the venue, the event was captured on cell phone footage. Fridays 2010 Beyoncé – Party on 42011 Son of Light – Love & Hate 2012 A Tribe Called Quest – Whateva Will Be, Mobius, Black Spasmodic, thank You 4 Your Service 2016

26.
Skyzoo
–
Gregory Skyler Taylor, better known by his stage name Skyzoo, is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. 15 on the US Top Heatseekers chart in 2015, dre, Raheem Devaughn, Black Thought, Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Spike Lee, John Legend, and others. Skyzoo was born Gregory Skyler Taylor in 1982 in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn and he was nicknamed Skyzoo by his parents after the Skyy disco song of the same. Skyzoo moved to the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in his youth, Skyzoo grew up listening to hip hop artists such as Big Daddy Kane, N. W. A, Kid n Play, EPMD, Eric B. & Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest, but it was the video for Chi-Alis Age Aint Nuthin But a Number that inspired him to begin writing raps. He was nine years old at the time and he was raised one block away from rapper Notorious B. I. G. and has often cited B. I. G. s success as an influence on his writing. He also cites Jay-Z as an important inspiration, and names his favorites emcees as Jay-Z, during Skyzoos teenage years his father moved to South Jamaica, Queens, and Skyzoo began spending much of his time there as well as in Brooklyn. He frequently references both boroughs in his music, and has two younger brothers, instead of going to school in his own neighborhood as he got older, Skyzoos parents enrolled him in a high school in Manhattan to take advanced classes. Skyzoo also attended college, but didnt finish, at SUNY Farmingdale in Long Island, in 2002 Skyzoo began releasing his own mixtapes throughout New York, and he soon encountered the North Carolina rap crew the Justus League, collaborating on several projects. Skyzoo has won two Underground Music Awards, in the categories of Best Male Rapper in 2002 and Best Lyricist in 2008, an encounter with Justus League rapper Chaundon led to Skyzoo meeting producer 9th Wonder in 2005, and the two started a long-term collaboration. The pair would go on to record the collaborative EP Cloud 9, The 3 Day High, released on September 12,2006, the album was entirely produced by 9th Wonder, and included the singles Way To Go and The Bodega. The release led to Skyzoos first national feature, when he was placed in the Show & Prove section of XXL Magazine in October 2006. The project also lead to the 2007 vinyl release of the DJ Premier produced singles Get It Done b/w Click, both featuring fellow Brooklyn rapper and frequent collaborator Torae. The EP led to media write ups in outlets such as XXL, The Source, Vibe, AllHipHop. com, HipHopDX. com, HipHopGame. com, Skyzoos mixtape Corner Store Classic was released for free on July 20,2007. It had production from 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, and others, Skyzoo contributed most vocals, though guest vocalists such as Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, and Torae. The album was generally well-received, and XXL gave it a rating of XL. In 2007, he stated that he had a studio album ready, called The Salvation. In the spring of 2009, Skyzoo jointly signed to independent label Duck Down Records, Skyzoo then went on to release the mixtape The Power of Words

27.
Big Pooh
–
In addition to numerous records and EPs by Little Brother, Pooh released a solo album in 2005 entitled Sleepers to positive critical review. Furthermore, he has been guest featured on tracks by other artists. Big Pooh also appreciates basketball and has served as a guest writer on a basketball blog, Rapper Big Pooh first got his break by Beni B of ABB Records. He had been pursued by most of the labels for about a year. He ended up signing to Atlantic because the independent label we were signed to and his deal with Atlantic ended in 07. In 2007, Rapper Big Pooh appeared on the Little Brother download-only mixtape entitled And Justus for All, the video for the albums lead single, The Comeback, features a kitchen scene with Pooh surrounded by women preparing ingredients, baking and packaging Delightful Bars candy bars. In early 2010, Rapper Big Pooh released The Purple Tape for free download and this mixtape features Rapper Big Pooh rhyming over Detroit producer Black Milks instrumentals from a collection released years ago using Prince samples, hence the Purple reference. This is also a reference to Raekwons Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album that was released as a cassette tape. In January 2014, Rapper Big Pooh signed a two album deal with independent label Mello Music Group- the record label thats also home to Oddisee and Kenn Starr. The first release will be an album produced entirely by Virginia producer Nottz, in the 3rd quarter of 2014 Rapper Big Pooh started an NBA podcast with co hosts Drew Hepburn of Asheville, NC and Vince Poe. The podcast is titled Pooh on Sports NBA Podcast, Rapper Big Pooh had previously had a podcast and sports blog similarly titled Pooh on Sports. The podcast was announced via his Twitter account in September 2014, the duo is planning a global release of the show on January 1,2015 following the New Year and what many consider the true beginning of the NBA season. The show runs 1 hour in length and features as many as 8 segments per show and it is rumored now that the show will feature both interviews and guest host spots from some of the biggest names in Hip Hop. The show is also rumored to have recently picked up by a large internet radio station. Rapper Big Pooh graduated from South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia in 1998

28.
Torae
–
Torae is an American rapper from the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. He has released a number of albums and collaborative works. Torae gained recognition by collaborating with DJ Premier and Marco Polo, after releasing his debut mixtape Daily Conversation in 2008, he and Polo went on to receive critical acclaim for their collaborative LP entitled Double Barrel. In 2007, HipHopDX featured him in their DXNext underground hip hop series, in the same year, he was named Chairmans Choice in XXL. In addition to Polo and Premier, Torae has worked with producers Eric G. Black Milk, Torae has collaborated frequently with fellow Brooklyn MCs Skyzoo and Sha Stimuli. He has also worked with Tash of Tha Alkaholiks, Teflon, Chaundon, Sean Price, Masta Ace, Wale, Nefew and he released his debut studio album, For the Record, on November 1,2011. The album features the production from Pete Rock, Large Professor, DJ Premier, the following year, he released an EP entitled Off the Record, which comprises eight songs recorded during the making of his debut album. On May 27,2014, he and fellow Brooklyn rapper Skyzoo released their collaborative album, E Holla & TORAE - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself 2 INTERNAL AFFAIRS ENT

29.
Fashawn
–
Santiago Leyva, known by his stage name Fashawn, is an American hip hop recording artist from Fresno, California. He first gained attention after releasing his debut album Boy Meets World in 2009. The album received acclaim and landed him on the cover of XXL Magazines Top 10 Freshmen issue in 2010. Since then, Fashawn has collaborated with artists and producers such as Nas, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Evidence, Murs, Aloe Blacc, Blu, The Alchemist. In 2014, Fashawn performed the theme to WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradleys rematch against Manny Pacquiao. On June 9,2014, Fashawn signed to Nas new label Mass Appeal Records, after years of anticipation, Fashawn released his second studio album The Ecology on February 24,2015. It ranked among the top 10 most downloaded albums on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart during its first week of release, since then, songs from The Ecology have been featured in various forms of popular media. When he was 8 years old, Fashawn and his sister were placed in a group home, before their Uncle Roy took them into his custody as a father figure. Fashawn recalls writing his first rhyme at 8 years old and became engrossed in writing by 2000. In 2006, Fashawn released his first mixtape, Grizzly City, catching the attention of fellow Fresno MC Planet Asia, knowing the opportunity that presented him, Fashawn dropped out of school and pursued his dream. One Shot One Kill was well received by fans and hip-hop websites, including OnSMASH and DatPiff, gaining him more attention and momentum as an upcoming artist. In 2009, Fashawn performed throughout the United States, with various acts, including separate tours with Ghostface Killah. On September 24,2009, he released a project produced entirely by The Alchemist titled The Antidote to get fans hyped up for his solo album. On October 22,2009, Fashawn released his first full-length album, titled Boy Meets World, the album received critical acclaim, and Fashawn was praised for his ability to articulate the inner struggles and dreams of a young kid growing up in a tough environment. XXL Magazine gave the album an XL rating, concluding Boy Meets World is a debut from such a young MC. In March 2010, Fashawn graced the cover of XXLs Top 10 Freshmen issue, standing alongside Wiz Khalifa, J. Cole, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock, Freddie Gibbs and this represented a prestigious benchmark for upcoming rappers who demonstrated great potential and success. Between 2010 to 2011, Fashawn continued to embark on tours with Wiz Khalifa, Talib Kweli. He also performed at the Paid Dues and Rock The Bells festivals alongside Blu, on February 16,2011, he released a mixtape called Higher Learning Vol.2, which spawned two videos, Down That Road and Big Dreams produced by J. Cole

30.
Billboard (magazine)
–
Billboard is an American entertainment media brand owned by the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, a division of Eldridge Industries. It publishes pieces involving news, video, opinion, reviews, events and it is also known for its music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200, tracking the most popular singles and albums in different genres. It also hosts events, owns a publishing firm, and operates several TV shows, Billboard was founded in 1894 by William Donaldson and James Hennegan as a trade publication for bill posters. Donaldson later acquired Hennegens interest in 1900 for $500, in the 1900s, it covered the entertainment industry, such as circuses, fairs and burlesque shows. It also created a service for travelling entertainers. Billboard began focusing more on the industry as the jukebox, phonograph. Many topics it covered were spun-off into different magazines, including Amusement Business in 1961 to cover outdoor entertainment so that it could focus on music. After Donaldson died in 1925, Billboard was passed down to his children and Hennegans children, until it was sold to investors in 1985. The first issue of Billboard was published in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 1,1894 by William Donaldson, initially, it covered the advertising and bill posting industry and was called Billboard Advertising. At the time, billboards, posters and paper advertisements placed in public spaces were the means of advertising. Donaldson handled editorial and advertising, while Hennegan, who owned Hennegan Printing Co. managed magazine production, the first issues were just eight pages long. The paper had columns like The Bill Room Gossip and The Indefatigable, a department for agricultural fairs was established in 1896. The title was changed to The Billboard in 1897, after a brief departure over editorial differences, Donaldson purchased Hennegans interest in the business in 1900 for $500, to save it from bankruptcy. That May, Donaldson changed it from a monthly to a paper with a greater emphasis on breaking news. He improved editorial quality and opened new offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, London and he also re-focused the magazine on outdoor entertainment like fairs, carnivals, circuses, vaudeville and burlesque shows. A section devoted to circuses was introduced in 1900, followed by more prominent coverage of events in 1901. Billboard also covered topics including regulation, a lack of professionalism, economics and it had a stage gossip column covering the private lives of entertainers, a tent show section covering traveling shows and a sub-section called Freaks to order. According to The Seattle Times, Donaldson also published articles attacking censorship, praising productions exhibiting good taste

31.
Extended Play (Statik Selektah album)
–
Extended Play is the fifth studio album by East Coast hip hop producer Statik Selektah. The album was released on June 18,2013, by Duck Down Music Inc. the album features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Tony Touch, Raekwon, Joey Badass, Black Thought, N. O. R. E. Sean Price, Mac Miller, Mike Posner, Freddie Gibbs, Prodigy, Styles P, Bun B, Hit-Boy, Joell Ortiz, Evidence, Lecrae, Talib Kweli, and Flatbush Zombies among others. The first single Birds Eye View featuring Raekwon, Joey Badass, the second single 21 & Over featuring Mac Miller and Sean Price was released on May 14,2013. On June 5,2013, the video was released for 21 & Over featuring Mac Miller. The third single Game Break featuring Lecrae, Termanology and Posdnuos was released on June 4,2013, on September 28,2013, the music video was released for Gz, Pimps, Hustlers featuring Wais P. Extended Play received positive reviews music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 83, based on 5 reviews. Instead, its a dense, imaginative outing that pays tribute to classic East Coast hip-hop lovingly, stated, Extended Play easily warrants repeated listens in the whip. Do yourself a favor and cop this release, Rap is good nowadays, so indulge. At just over 60 minutes, the album is too dense to let the feature production breathe much on its own, and the three separate guest verses per song template dominates much of the project. While the album might incite a little listener’s fatigue in a single session absorption, statik’s individual partnerships might yield more compelling full-length projects on their own but albums like Extended Play are fine platforms for a little showing off. Matthew Sanderson of AllHipHop stated, All in all the effort is solid, however, with such a roster of ill MCs, there seems to be some lack luster spitters that should not be on the same track as the others. Almost feels like a bit of filler. Maybe Statik is trying to shed some limelight to his buddies, however, for example, I rather have had extra bars from both the Ghost and Bun on Funeral session, if you get my drift. The beats are there, the greats are on there too, why not have the All Stars rap the whole piece and X out the gold string. Steve Flash Juon of RapReviews gave the album a 7, the album debuted at number 121 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 3,600 copies in the United States. All tracks produced by Statik Selektah except track 16, co-produced by The Alchemist, credits for Extended Play adapted from AllMusic

32.
What Goes Around (Statik Selektah album)
–
What Goes Around is the sixth studio album by East Coast hip hop producer Statik Selektah. The album was released on August 19,2014, by Duck Down Music Inc. termanology, Reks, Sheek Louch, Pharoahe Monch, Crooked I, Heltah Skeltah, B-Real, Boldy James, Astro, and Posdnuos among others. I was just happy to be there, but the way he said that to me always stuck in mind and this album was definitely inspired by that. What Goes Around received universal acclaim from music critics, at Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 84, based on 4 reviews, which indicates universal acclaim. The flow of it all isnt perfect, but the runtime for the tracks. Statik continues to bring it and this album reaffirms that, henry Mansell of XXL said, Although the stellar moments heavily outweigh the flaws, criticisms surrounding Statik’s latest effort ultimately lies in the project’s length. Like so many of its predecessors, What Goes Around is a generous offering weighing in at just shy of 70 minutes delegated over 20 tracks, yet with over 30 guest appearances, it leaves listeners somewhat fatigued and slightly agitated, hopping from artist to artist. The album debuted at number 77 on the Billboard 200 chart, all tracks produced by Statik Selektah

33.
Lucky 7 (Statik Selektah album)
–
Lucky 7 is the seventh studio album by hip hop record producer Statik Selektah. The album was released on July 7,2015, by Duck Down Music Inc. the album features guest appearances from Rapsody, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Your Old Droog, Chauncy Sherod, Dave East, Big K. R. I. T. Royce Da 59, Mick Jenkins, Smif-n-Wessun, Young M, Lucky 7 received generally positive reviews from music critics. Said, Lucky 7 is at its best when Statik Selektah delves deep into his side as a producer, as tracks like Beautiful Life. Homer Johnsen of HipHopDX said, If Lucky 7 truly is the end of an era and sound. The beats are on point and each guest is on top of their game, a couple of the songs sound good enough to have just gotten cut from better solo albums, but thats not a strong selling point. All tracks produced by Statik Selektah

34.
Freddie Foxxx
–
James Campbell, better known by his stage names Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles, is an American rapper and music producer from Long Island, New York. Foxxx got his start rapping in the early 1980s, in 1986, he recorded You Gotta Come Out Fresh / Handling Things under the alias Freddie C. as a member of the Supreme Force on NIA Records. Despite this, Foxxxs first LP, Freddie Foxxx Is Here, was produced entirely by Eric B. and he soon parted ways with the label and became a member of Queen Latifahs Flavor Unit establishment. In 1993, only promo copies of his album, Crazy Like A Foxxx, were circulated when Epic Records decided to shelve it. Foxxx then began to be more for his cameos on songs by Boogie Down Productions, Naughty by Nature. O. C. and, most notably, his appearance on Gang Starrs The Militia from their Moment of Truth album, the song was issued as a single, building a buzz for Foxxx and helping him to prep for his next full-length release. This time around he applied the lessons hed learned from experiences with major record labels. The Industry Shakedown album featured production from hip hop heavyweights DJ Premier, Pete Rock, the members of M. O. P. provided the albums only cameo. After the success of Industry Shakedown, Foxxx released his official album. Foxxx made significant contributions to the WWE SmackDown. vs and he contributed two songs, and made a guest appearance on another song. He also produced all of the hip hop songs and he also appeared on John Cenas WWE released album You Cant See Me. In 2006, he released a mixtape called Street Triumph, in anticipation of his fifth album, recently, his previously unreleased album Crazy Like a Foxxx was officially released on July 29,2008 on Fat Beats Records. 1998, The Militia 1998, I Luv 1998, M. O. B2000, Keith & Bumpy 2000, boy 2010, Take Money 2011, DAMU2012, Dumpin Em All 2014, Unstoppable 2016, A. B. N

35.
Freddie Gibbs
–
Fredrick Tipton, better known by his stage name Freddie Gibbs, is an American rapper from Gary, Indiana. Fredrick Tipton was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, and grew up at 17th, Gibbs signed with Interscope Records in 2006 and recorded a debut album, but a year later the management of Interscope changed hands and the rapper was dropped. Both were released for free to the internet, on October 31,2011, Gibbs released his ninth mixtape Cold Day In Hell, featuring guest appearances from Young Jeezy, Juicy J, Freeway and Dom Kennedy. Cardo, DJ Burn One, Speakerbomb, Block Beattaz, Beatnick & K-Salaam, on December 11,2012 Gibbs announced he was no longer a member of Young Jeezys CTE label. He elaborated saying there is no beef between the two rappers, Gibbs joined fellow hip-hop artists Brianna Perry and Ace Hood on the 2013 Forgiato Fest at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, on April 6,2013. On May 27,2013, Freddie Gibbs announced he would be releasing his debut album ESGN on July 9,2013, the album ended up being released on June 20,2013, three weeks before the planned release date. On January 17,2014, Freddie Gibbs announced that he was 75% complete with his studio album Eastside Slim. On March 18,2014, Gibbs released an album with producer Madlib, the album received universal acclaim from music critics and peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200 and number seven on the US Top Rap Albums charts. His next album, Shadow of a Doubt, was released on November 20,2015, on March 8,2017, Gibbs returned by announcing his third solo album, You Only Live 2wice, along with its pre-order link and release date of March 31,2017. The first single, Crushed Glass, was released with a music video. On June 4,2016, Gibbs was arrested before performing at a concert at Le Rex in Toulouse and he attended a hearing on June 3,2016 and was being held in custody with possible extradition to Austria. The rapper was scheduled to perform in London, Ireland, France, Portugal. On June 23,2016, Gibbs was ordered extradition to Austria for rape charges, Gibbs said he has no intention of escaping justice, whether French or Austrian. On August 16,2016, Gibbs was charged with sexual abuse charges on two women, on September 30,2016, Gibbs was acquitted of all charges related to the sexual abuse allegations. Critics have recognized Gibbs technically proficient and stylistically diverse rapping ability and he was featured on the Max Payne 3 official soundtrack and the NBA 2K12 official soundtrack, the Sleeping Dogs soundtrack, and more recently on the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack. A gunman opened fire on Gibbs, who was sitting in a car after he had finished performing at a store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. Gibbs escaped unharmed and two members of his entourage received non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, ESGN Piñata Shadow of a Doubt You Only Live 2wice